Lead Chef - Events

Chef Tom Sellers’s events company Once Upon A Time is looking for a Lead Chef to join our luxury events catering team.

A fantastic opportunity for a highly ambitious Chef to work in a dynamic, creative and nurturing kitchen atmosphere, working with incredible produce from some of the best suppliers in the country.

The ethos for Once Upon A Time is simple: ingredient-led cooking with menus designed by one of the UK’s leading chefs, Tom Sellers. Once Upon A Time offers a complete solution to event catering for luxury brands all over the world.

What We Can Offer You at Once Upon a Time

• 50% staff discount across all restaurants within the group
• Team referral bonus up to £2,000
• Additional paid day off for your birthday
• Staff meal and drinks while on shift
• Regular and calendared staff socials
• Access to Hospitality Action’s Employee Assistance Programme where advice and counselling are available to assist with mental health
• Investment in training and development with qualifications across Wine, H&S, Food Safety and HR

Lead Chef Requirements

• Previous experience as a Head Chef or Lead Chef in a quality or luxury events role
• Absolute confidence to lead and support a brigade of chefs
• Proficient in kitchen management, finances, menu costing, purchasing, stock control
• Experienced in managing staff costs, scheduling and reviewing staff rotas
• Fully knowledgeable of all food hygiene and health and safety procedures
• To mentor and to continue career progression of existing kitchen team members
• You will be passionate about food and hospitality
• Warm and friendly personality

We strive to be a company that is inclusive in terms of age, gender, identity, race, sexual orientation, ethnicity, and to create an environment where everyone, from any background, can be happy at work. We’d love to hear from you if you’re a Head Chef and up for a new challenge.

Tom Sellers

Hailing from Nottingham, Tom Sellers is a two Michelin-starred Chef who opened his first restaurant, Restaurant Story, at 26. At launch, Tom’s unique approach garnered significant critical acclaim, being awarded a Michelin Star just five months after opening, with a second star following in 2021. Tom learned his craft from some of the world’s most influential Chefs and spent time working alongside the likes of Tom Aikens in London, Thomas Keller at three Michelin-starred per se in New York, and René Redzepi at two Michelin-starred Noma in Copenhagen, all before the age of 21. Story Cellar, a Parisian inspired rotisserie style restaurant opened in 2023 to much critical acclaim followed by Dovetale at 1 Hotel Mayfair, where the restaurant offers a sustainably minded, produce led à la carte menu of reimagined European classics, bolstered by dishes cooked over the grill, and an abundant raw bar.